Dhaka: A new fatwa has been issued across Bangladesh, creating tension among the Hindu community just days before Durga Puja. The organization “Insaaf Kayemkari Chhatra-Janata” has issued a 16-point directive stating that Durga Puja should not be considered a universal festival. The fatwa, issued in the name of the organization’s convener Muhammad Arif Al Khabir, was distributed in a two-page leaflet across the country on Saturday.
The fatwa claims that labeling Durga Puja as a universal celebration would disrespect other religions. It clearly instructs that no temple should display signs calling the Durga Puja “universal,” stating that “religion is personal, and so is its celebration.” The leaflet also warns Bangladesh’s Hindu community to stop “acting as agents of India.” The organization has called for anti-India banners and slogans to be displayed at temples during the Puja, claiming that Hindus in Bangladesh must disprove the notion that they are allied with India, which they deem an enemy of the state.
New Fatwa Issued in Bangladesh Against Durga Puja: 16-Point Directive Sparks Fear Among Hindus
The fatwa further prohibits setting up Puja pandals on public roads and mandates that the festivities be confined within temple premises. Loudspeakers, banners, and any public displays of the Puja outside temples have been banned, citing concerns that the noise might disrupt Islamic prayers (namaz).
The leaflet also imposes restrictions on the number and size of idols, forbidding the construction of extra idols or increasing their height beyond a certain limit. Additionally, the consumption of alcohol during the festivities has been strictly forbidden.
Moreover, the organization has voiced opposition to public holidays for Durga Puja, arguing that it is economically detrimental to halt work for 98% of the population, who are Muslim, in favor of less than 2% of Hindus. The fatwa also prohibits collecting donations for the festival, stating that it is against Sharia for Muslims to financially support Hindu religious activities.
With only three days left until Mahalaya, marking the beginning of the Durga Puja season, this new fatwa has stirred fear and apprehension among the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Many feel threatened by the growing intolerance, especially following reports of increased violence against minorities after the end of Sheikh Hasina’s government. There have also been previous allegations of extortion, with demands of up to 500,000 BDT from various clubs for organizing Durga Puja. In areas like Uttara, Dhaka, local residents have raised objections against using parks for Durga Puja celebrations, particularly against using loudspeakers, claiming it interferes with Islamic practices.
While the fatwa has caused widespread concern, little is known about the organization “Insaaf Kayemkari Chhatra-Janata” that issued it. The Hindu community in Bangladesh remains in a state of anxiety as Durga Puja approaches, unsure of what this new directive means for their safety and freedom of religious expression.